Could deadly Ebola virus reach Britain?

As the deadly virus claims its first victim in Nigeria, Africa's most populous
country which has close links with the UK, experts warn British doctors to
look for the signs

The World Health Organisation says Ebola is one of the most virulent viral diseases known to humankind, causing death in 50 to 90 percent of all clinically ill casesPhoto: AP Photo/Center for Disease Control

Ebola has killed 672 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since it was first diagnosed in February and more than 1,000 others have been infected by the virus.

On Friday, a Liberian man who had travelled to the Nigerian capital Lagos died for the disease, heightening concerns international air travel could speed up its spread.

The Government’s Public Health England on Monday sent letters to British doctors telling them to watch for anyone with strange illnesses who have recently travelled in West Africa.

Cambridge University’s Dr Peter Walsh, a lecturer in archaeology and anthropology and Ebola expert, said: “It’s possible someone infected will fly to Heathrow having infected other people sitting next to them or by using the toilet.

“This strain of Ebola is probably the second most deadly virus in the world after canine rabies. If you get canine rabies, you’re going to die, but we also have vaccines for that.

“This is worse than anthrax, but there are vaccines and treatments for anthrax, too.”

The fatality rate of the current outbreak is around 60 percent although the disease, which can go unnoticed for three weeks, can kill up to 90 percent of those who catch it.

Derek Gatherer, a virologist at Britain's University of Lancaster, said anyone on the plane near Sawyer could be in "pretty serious danger," but that Nigeria was at least better placed to tackle the outbreak than its neighbours.

"Nigerians have deep pockets and they can do as much as any Western country could do if they have the motivation and organisation to get it done," he said.

Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are now screening air passengers – but doctors say this may not be effective because Ebola has an incubation period of two to 21 days and cannot be diagnosed on the spot.

Professor Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, told the Daily Mail: “If the disease gets going in Nigeria it would be cause for concern.

“Nigeria has close links with the UK and many other countries.”

The last diagnosed case of Ebola in the UK dates back to 1979, when someone was accidentally infected in a laboratory, but survived.

The body deals with potential outbreaks and Dr Brian McCloskey, Public Health England’s director of global health, said: “There is the recognition this is a problem that is not under control… At the moment its preparatory thinking rather than alarm.”